Maritime unions in Australia have called on the federal government to use domestically-flagged tankers to import refined products if the country closes its last refineries.

Oil major BP is closing its Kwinana refinery due to competition from others in Asia and the Middle East.

The Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) said a commitment to use just 10 Australian vessels for this work would create about 340 seafaring jobs, with refinery workers retrained to undertake this work as part of an industry-transition plan.